Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3910    Session 15 (7.30pm Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,000

MM PAIR: Military Medal (GVR Type 1); British War Medal 1914-18. 2316 Pte F.Cook 44/Aust:Inf: on first medal, 2316 Pte F.Cook 44 Bn. A.I.F. on second medal. Both medals impressed. Very fine.

Together with France, Medaille Militaire, 1870 obverse design (Pte Cook was recommended for this medal but Not Awarded); enamel unit colour patch lapel badge.

MM: LG 16/8/1917, p8426, posn 98; CAG 20/12/1917, p3376, posn 108.

Police Review article, June 1918 reported as follows,
'Ex PC Cook who left for the fighting zone 13 October 1916 is proud possessor of a Military Medal. It was during the Battle of Messines that Private Cook won the distinction. He was engaged on stretcher bearing work, and after being continuosly working for 3 days and nights from June 8 to 10, losing three of his company of stretcher bearers, Cookie kept going. Obtaining assistance where possible, he kept the lines clear of the wounded, having to work a good deal of the time by himself under heavy gun fire, though his arm was wounded. On October 13, 1917 he was wounded at Passchendaele, and was buried for one and a half hours. He was injured in the back, and his arm and fingers were broken. Eight hours after being wounded, he was trained to Calais, and then shipped to England. On becoming convalescent, he was presented by General Coburg with the Military Medal.'

Recommendation for French Medaille Militaire by CO of 44 Bn, AIF on 11Mar1918.
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of the 11/3 October, Pte Cook was attached as stretcher bearer to 'A' Company. On the battalion being withdrawn from the line, preparatory to the 10 Brigade going over, Pte Cook obtained permission to remain in the line and attend to the wounded of the 10th Brigade. He remained within the front area for over 48 hours under intense hostile artillery fire, and was undoubtedly the means of saving at least 10 lives during that period. He organised stretcher parties throughout, and frequently went out himself under heavy fire to attend wounded. He was himself wounded during the first six hours, but refused to be evacuated. I consider his gallantry and devotion to duty worthy of the highest mention.'
Not awarded.

The 44th Battalion Regimental History records Felix Cook's exploits as follows,
'Private Cook - Superman!
Private Cook MM was a superman. From October 4 to 23rd he laboured like a giant. His mates were killed; the casualty he carried on one occasion was killed, but Cook was untouched. After the Manchesters failed, Cook it was who went first in front of the outposts on his errand of mercy. Practically without a spell he worked day and night, and finally when the remnants of his Battalion were relieved, he approached the Adjutant and requested to be allowed to stay in with the Canadians, as there were still casualties not yet brought in. He was not ordered to come out, and stayed in, and two days later had his shoulder smashed by shell fire.

He was recommended for the VC and surely if ever a man earned one in this great war, that man was Private Cook. He did not even receive a bar to his Military Medal which had been won previously. Such inconsistencies in the bestowal of decorations frequently made the blood of the Diggers boil.'

Felix Cook, Police Constable, Central Police Station Perth, age 35, born at Melbourne, Vic; Enl.26Jun1916 at Perth, WA; Emb.13Oct1916; awarded MM 24Jun1917, France; WIA 02Aug1917, 13Oct1917; attached to Aust Prov Corps 08Jan1918; RTA 13Mar1918; Disch.12Aug1918.

With research including copy of Service file.